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Biological Science Laboratory Technician

Department of Defense
Defense Health Agency
U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID)

Summary

About the Position: The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), a subordinate research laboratory under the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, is the lead medical biological defense research laboratory for the DOD Chemical Biological Defense Program. For additional information about USAMRIID and Fort Detrick, please visit http://usamriid.health.mil and http://www.detrick.army.mil.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/16/2026 to 04/27/2026
Salary
$102,415 - $158,322 per year
Pay scale & grade
DE 4
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Fort Detrick, MD
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy. Eligible for situational Telework Only, including emergency and OPM Prescribed "Unscheduled Telework".
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
HQKF-26-12925350-DE
Control number
865540200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

See "Who May Apply" in the "Qualification" section for more information on who is eligible to apply for this position.

Duties

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  • Perform pathological research activities including electron microscopy sample preparation, immunohistochemistry, histological and diagnostic gross necropsies, conducted in Biosafety Laboratories Level 1-4, and Good Laboratory Practice environments.
  • Review standard operating procedures to ensure proper assessment of risks associated with pathological research activities, including electron microscopy sample preparation, immunohistochemistry,
  • As well as histological and diagnostic gross necropsies, conducted in BSL-1 to BSL-4 to include in regulated environments
  • Serve as the biocontainment laboratory administrative coordinator and assist with general skills training of staff for safe conduct of research activities in BSL-1 to BSL-4
  • Responsible for ensuring compliance with all safety regulations in the biocontainment spaces.
  • Other duties as assigned that align with the mission of the Risk Management Office.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment. A background investigation and credit check are required.
  • Appointment to this position is subject to a one-year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirement.
  • This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 5% of the time.
  • This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
  • This position is subject to a pre-employment screening, and random testing thereafter, to include testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident.
  • Employee may be subject to stand by and or on call duty; night and weekend duty including holidays; and irregular tours of duty.
  • This position has been designated "Mission Essential". In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations the incumbent is required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations.
  • This position requires the incumbent to participate in the Biological Personnel Reliability Program (BPRP). (See additional information)
  • This position requires the incumbent to participate in the Occupational Health Surveillance Program (OHSP). (See additional information)

Qualifications

USAMRIID is participating in an alternative personnel system known as the Personnel Demonstration Project (PDP). The DE-04 payband is equivalent to the GS-12 step 1 to GS-13 step 10 level. In keeping with the Demonstration pay fixing policies, employees earning a salary that falls within this payband equivalent, will not receive an immediate pay increase (promotion) if appointed to this position. Future pay increases within the payband will be accomplished through the pay for performance management system.

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: (1) Experience Providing histological and diagnostic gross necropsy support to scientific research personnel in a regulated laboratory environment; (2) Applying ancillary pathology techniques, such as immunohistochemistry and ultrastructural pathology (Electron Microscopy) in regulated laboratory setting; AND (3) Conducting inspections and training ensuring compliance with applicable regulations in Biological Safety Level 1-4 laboratory. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-12).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:

  • Biology
  • Scientific Research
  • Technical Competence

Education

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • Recruitment or relocation incentives MAY be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

As part of the assessment process, your resume will be evaluated using a competency-based method. This structured evaluation measures your qualifications, experience, and skills against the core competencies required for the position. Final scores will determine whether you are referred to the Hiring Manager for further consideration.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

Basis for Rating: Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of three quality categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified and Qualified. Veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category.

  • Best Qualified. Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements for the announced position.
  • Highly Qualified. Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements for the announced position.
  • Qualified. Candidates in this category meet the minimum experience requirements for the announced position.
You may claim Military Spouse preference.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

Defense Health Agency

Ft. Detrick is located in Frederick, MD, in the heart of Frederick County. It is located approximately a one hour drive from Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, MD, and adjoins Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Frederick County offers an array of experiences: historic sites and museums; Civil War attractions; 90 national, state, county and municipal parks; a zoo; minor league baseball; antique and mall shopping; and many fine restaurants and hotels.

As an integrated health care system, the Defense Health Agency delivers healthcare services across the Department of Defense and enables combat support to the Joint Force as a strategic partner. Through a robust healthcare delivery system, and a dedicated team of inspired professionals, the Agency ensures the worldwide delivery of medical, dental, and pharmacy programs to more than 9.5 million uniformed service members, retirees, and their families, by improving health and building readiness

Anytime, Anywhere-Always.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
KF-DD60RG DHA HQs - R/D ACT-USAMRIID
DO NOT MAIL
Fort Detrick, MD 21702
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Defense Health Agency, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://usamriid.health.mil/

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